3 day weekend from Paris without a car
 

Hi--friends have asked for recommendations to see another part of France in early October while their student daughter is on 3 day holiday from the university in Paris. They do not want to drive--and obviously don't want to spend a great amount of time getting somewhere. What suggestions do you have? I thought of Dijon and visiting around there by train or Rouen. Can you get around easily by train from those areas? We always have a car so I am not sure of a good plan. What are your thoughts. Money issues would be secondary to these folks.

I would probably look at either Normandy or the Loire. We have not spent much time in Alsace but that is another option. The trainis in France are very good but, without a car, what you can see is limited. We have driven in both the Loire and Normandy. If they don't want to drive, perhaps they should consider a short tour.

Hi RobynFrance,

From Paris, they can be at Lake Geneva in about 4h, and spend time around Montreux or Vevey on the lake. Hotels give a Riviera Card to guests, and the card makes all the busses in the area free, including to Chillon castle.

Or they could spend time in Morges, also on Lake Geneva.

Hope they find a good solution!

s

The TGV to Tours is about 1 hour, tours to local châteaux depart from the Office de Tourisme which is just across the street from Tours Centre (the train station). For booking and other information including hotels:

www.ligeris.com

Dijon is about 1 hour from Paris and the fall wine harvest will be in full swing in October. Guides and tours are available to show you around the vineyards and the Office de Tourisme is very willing to help you plan your visit. A side trip traveling down the Cote d´Or to visit Beaune can be made by bus. You may contact them in English:

http://visitdijon.com/

My recommendation would be for either Dijon or Strasbourg, both great places where you would not need a car.

I'd add Lyon to the list. Two hours by TGV, lots to do, good food, and easy to get around on public transportation.

Strasbourg via TGV, with the possibility of visiting a village on Alsace's wine road if getting away from a big city is necessary.